NHL Rumor Mill – May 5, 2023
A look at some of the offseason’s notable trade targets in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli released his latest list of NHL Trade Targets on April 27.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’m getting to this now only because of the usual surge in rumors involving teams eliminated from the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson and Philadelphia Flyers center Kevin Hayes sit first and second respectively.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Both have featured prominently here in recent weeks, especially at the end of the regular season with their respective clubs long eliminated from playoff contention.
Seravalli believes Karlsson’s trade value may never be higher for the Sharks. However, his hefty contract and full no-movement clause will make him difficult to move. Hayes isn’t as expensive (or as talented) as Karlsson. Still, his contract remains a significant obstacle in the path toward a trade.
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard checks in at No. 3. Seravalli believes the Avs don’t want to move Girard but could have little choice given their salary-cap constraints this summer.
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Girard has surfaced in trade rumors before. With an affordable $5 million cap hit and his puck-moving skills, he’d attract plenty of interest. He’ll be the Avs’ most likely trade candidate unless they can find another way to clear cap space.
Calgary Flames center Elias Lindholm and Vancouver Canucks center J.T. Miller are fourth and fifth.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lindholm was non-committal about signing a contract extension this summer. Maybe he’ll change his mind after the Flames fired head coach Darryl Sutter.
Miller’s been floating around in the rumor despite having a seven-year contract extension kicking in on July 1. They need to clear cap space but I expect the Canucks will look at other options like Brock Boeser and Conor Garland.
Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov and Winnipeg Jets center Pierre-Luc Dubois sit sixth and seventh.
SPECTOR’S NOTES: These two have also come up frequently in recent rumors. Capitals management is said to be unhappy with Kuznetsov’s performance this season. However, his $7.8 million cap hit through 2024-25 is a stumbling block.
Dubois, meanwhile, is a restricted free agent who’s a year away from unrestricted free-agent eligibility. He’s frequently linked to the Montreal Canadiens. Much will depend on the Jets’ asking price and where the Habs land in the draft lottery, where the prize is highly-touted center Connor Bedard.
One of the following St. Louis Blues defensemen (Colton Parayko, Justin Faulk, Nick Leddy or Marco Scandella) comes in at No. 8. One of them could be moved as a cost-cutting measure.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Plenty of speculation about that after the Blues were eliminated from playoff contention. Scandello has the most affordable cap hit ($3.275 million) and only has a modified no-trade while the others have full no-traded contracts. However, he also missed most of this season to injury.
Tampa Bay Lightning forward Ross Colton and Boston Bruins winger Taylor Hall round out the top 10.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Seravalli points out that the Lightning have less than $10 million to fill eight roster spots. Colton is a restricted free agent this summer. I still see him replacing Alex Killorn, who’s expected to depart as a UFA. The Bolts will find a way to keep him.
Hall made this list because the Bruins, like so many other NHL clubs, must free up space this summer if the salary cap only rises by $1 million as projected to $83.5 million.
The 31-year-old left winger carries a $6 million cap hit through 2024-25 plus a 16-team no-trade clause and a no-movement clause that prevents him from being demoted to the minors. I’m not saying he won’t be traded but I don’t see many teams wanting to add that contract to their books.
Anaheim Ducks center Adam Henrique, Vancouver Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers, Los Angeles Kings blueliner Sean Walker, Bruins rearguard Matt Grzelcyk and Vegas Golden Knights defender Alec Martinez fill slots 11 through 15.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: We’re now in the tier of depth players who should be more affordable to move though there is some contract sticking points to address.
For example, Myers is a 33-year-old blueliner with a year remaining on his contract and a cap hit of $6 million. $5 million of that will reportedly be paid to him in September as a signing bonus. That might make him easier to move by that point but his 10-team no-trade list could also be an issue.
Edmonton Oilers winger Kailer Yamamoto, Pittsburgh Penguins forward Mikael Granlund, Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov, Winnipeg Jets rearguard Logan Stanley and San Jose Sharks winger Kevin Labanc complete the remainder of the list.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: All of these players at one point in their careers would’ve attracted lots of attention in the trade market. Their recent struggles and (for some like Granlund and Provorov) their contracts could make them difficult to sell if the salary cap remains flattened for next season.
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Interesting in that Seravalli either sees no trade interest/value in DeBrincat or, he doesn’t see Dorion looking to move him. Be interesting to know which it is.
Agreed George. Unless there is a huge overpay (which I highly doubt) DeBrincat is moving on. Starange not on the list.
redmonsters, another who should probably be there is Anthony Mantha … I know I’d certainly take a flyer on him before I’d even give some, like Granlund and Lebanc, a sniff!
Curious to see if Eriksson gets moved. If possible, then maybe Rangers could move Panarin. I think after last seasons rumors that Drury was unhappy with him, it’ll be amplified this off season. Great player, but NY needs the cap flexibility to upgrade RW. Overloaded on LW and makes no sense to trade Laf now. Once draft lottery is done and more teams get eliminated, rumors will increase. Florida still to me is a possibility. Especially after making big trade last year. Maybe something that involves Reinhart going other way. Ny would need to retain some salary
I really like Girard, but Yzerman likes BIG, mobile D. Would love to see Chiarot traded….somewhere, and pick up a guy like Girard.
look like yzerman should hold off on free agency, his UFAS from last year were a complete turd. Copp and Chiarot both are wasted money. Chariots -31 is brutal.
Copp finally did much better as the season went on, but not as good as his pay scale. 42 pts and a +2 He was coming off a surgery and missed all the preseason and should have waited another week.
Chiarot is an anchor though. 😣
Copper, Perron, and Kubalik were all worth it….Chiarot, not so much.
Flyers will have to hold 2mil per on hayes contract to make him tradable.
Provorov will have a market but not sure what the return would be.
Flyers should listen to offers on almost all the players. If an offer brings back prospects and 1st & 2nd round picks then go for it.
This is a 5-7 year rebuild tear it to the ground and build it back up. Thank heavens Chuck fletcher has no say anymore(what a dumpster fire), but not sure who will guild the team. No president No GM leaves questions.
One thing I do hope, is that Torts will be gone in 1 or 2 years at most. Cant have him around younger players, he will ruin them.
Hextall is available. Will the Flyers welcome him back with open arms?
No but they were talking about Shero for the President job.
Yes, he can screw it even more after his debacle in Pgh.
Really surprised that Seravalli didn’t include Torey Krug as well (in the #8 slot) with Scandella, Faulk, Parayko, and Leddy.
I wouldn’t think that Faulk would be moved unless it’s a real good offer. BUT any of the others are “there for the taking—bad contracts and all!
If the Kings want to remain competitive and ever get out of the 1st round, they have to make some changes.
What to do about the net. Copley shown to be capable. Korpisalo showed signs of greatness (clear cap room needed to retain). Petersen is languishing in the AHL with a respectable GAA 2.88, SV% 0.904 and a NTC ta boot. give him another chance at NHL next season? Will be hard to trade.
Gavrikov was a solid piece in their D core, but can they afford him. Probably not.
If their young talent can step up, they might be alright but if they don’t and no other changes are made it could be another disappointing season for their fans and Vets.
Blake has his work cut out for him…..
Re; San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson
Who has that kind of Room….$11.5M for 4 season and he just come of a great year but he will be 33 this month and 37 in 4 years making $11.5,
Sharks will have to Eat 40% to 50% of his salary nobody can handle that‼️
but at $5.5 to $6.M sombody my take a chance… on that maybe there is a 3rd team that eats $2M-3M to make it work
but this is the year to move him……🤔